UNCTAD believes that enhanced cooperation between the private and the public sector is essential to the effective integration of developing countries into the global economy and seeks ways to involve civil society organizations, academia, trade unions, parliamentarians and business associations in its work.

Cooperation with civil society is mutually beneficial: it helps civil society actors, empowering and enhancing their advocacy role in support of sustainable development, while adding value to the work of UNCTAD and its member States in achieving tangible development outcomes.

The Civil Society Outreach (CSO) Unit of UNCTAD is responsible for liaison and outreach to civil society. Its role is to encourage and facilitate participation and engagement of civil society in the work of UNCTAD.

Speakers at the UNCTAD 62nd Trade and Development Board said that international investment agreements must preserve States' abilities to adopt policies that support the SDGs. A better balance between the rights and obligations of investors and host States are needed, as are improved arbitration mechanisms.

In the run-up to the Fourteenth Session of the United Nations Conference of Trade and Development (14-18 March 2016) in Lima, Peru, UNCTAD Secretary-General Mukhisa Kituyi held discussions with representatives of civil society groups.